Dr. John leads lineup at French Quarter Fest

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — It's been more than 25 years since Grammy Award winner Dr. John has played New Orleans' French Quarter Festival, but organizers say that changes this spring when the singer-pianist returns for the first time since 1987.

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee is among the 1,400 Louisiana musicians who are scheduled to perform on 21 stages during the free four-day festival scheduled to run April 10-13.

Organizers announced the lineup Wednesday. Dr. John will play April 11 at 4:30 p.m. on the riverfront Abita Stage. It will be his only festival appearance in New Orleans this spring. He and his band, The Nite Trippers, are scheduled to headline the Baton Rouge Blues Festival April 12.

The French Quarter Festival drew an estimated 560,000 visitors last year.